Our membership chairperson,  Carol Kimball Stahl provided this summary of last Saturday's Book Exchange: "As y'all know, the Book Exchange was held at Laurel Hills Park on Saturday, June 20. As you might surmise, there were likely some who would have come but for being one of the 150,00 people who attended the Canes' parade! Regardless, we did see some good results. Vouchers were given when someone brought books to be placed on the tables for sale. Each book generated a voucher. At the end of the day, 13 vouchers had been used. That use meant that 13 books found new homes! In addition to the voucher use, people could buy books for $5 or win the silent auction bid."  Many bought books outright. Between purchases and simple donations we generated enough funds to cover a speaker engagement or in-person activity. Photo - Steve Deal "Many familiar and new faces attended. Among those were Cini Gage, Cyndi & Steve Deal, Harriet Jenkins, Kathy Ruse, Jennie Gu...

Sign up June - August and Get up to 15 Months instead of 12!   A special invitation from Carol Kimball Stahl,  our WCGS member chairperson - We appreciate that you elected to follow our blog. That decision on your part shows your interest and willingness to seek resources to aid in your research. Now may be the time to take that interest and willingness to the next level. We currently are offering an extended membership “year” to new members.  The new memberships will expire on August 31, 2027, instead of August 31, 2026. Depending on how soon you join, you could enjoy the benefits for 15 months!!  Remember that many of our members have no ties to North Carolina, let alone Wake County.  The programs are designed to appeal to anyone performing genealogical research.  Many happen to live in the area and enjoy the WCGS community.  However, we also have members scattered across the United States who do have ties here.  Those members enjoy th...

  The Summer 2026 issue (Vol. 9, Issue 4) of the Wake Genealogy Watch newsletter is now available online for reading or download. Visit the WCGS website or click here: Wake Genealogy Watch, Summer 2026 . This issue includes: · Barbara McGeachy shares a summary of our coffee gathering in April. · A reminder to check out the updated Newsletter Cumulative Index, complete up to this issue · Jane Albright presents the Pleasant Grove UMC project to protect the historical graves of Free People of Color. · Four videos to boost your genealogy skills with AI and DNA skills · Two websites that give you historical context for your Revolutionary research and might even inspire a trip or two · Tips and resources to research the Loyalist you might find in your family tree, and how to recognize them. · Registration details for our upcoming local meet-ups and virtual meetings Photo Note : Please refer to the online edition where you can enlarge the photos to acc...

The Fall 2025 issue (Vol. 9, Issue 1) of our award-winning newsletter,   Wake Genealogy Watch , is now available online for reading or download. Visit the WCGS website or click the link here:  Wake Genealogy Watch, Fall 2025 .   This issue includes: A recap of our Find Your Family event in May. Registration details for Barbara McGeachy’s expanded fall genealogy classes—now 11 topics (up from 8). Practical how-to articles to guide your research. A review of Belle Long’s same-name study on multiple Joel Lanes, with a link to her original work. Ed Webb’s success story of using the BIRLS/FOIA process to successfully acquire his father’s BIRLS military record packet. A video tutorial on using AI tools to turn ancestor profiles into narratives, bios, and research plans. Cynthia Gage shares the NUMIDENT Social Security dataset for 20th Century Ancestors. Information on ordering a WCGS member nametag. A full calendar of upcoming events. Dive in and explore all the resources ...

There are many scheduled events to observe Black History Month throughout Wake County. Several groups are maintaining calendars. Here are a few to help you celebrate and honor Black heritage. Cary - calendar of events Raleigh - calendar of events Triangle on the Cheap calendar -60 events including historically significant locations around the Triangle Wake Forest - calendar of events Wake Forest - Sites of Memory - African American StoryMap Holly Springs - Black History Tour (self guided) Jobz Design at  https://www.vecteezy.com/ Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |  WCGS Events  |  Join WCGS  |  Publications  |  Wake Cemetery Survey Images  |  Society Surnames  |  Digital Resources  |  History Resources  |  More Links and Resources  |  Contact

The Spring 2023 Issue (Vol.6 Issue 3) of our award-winning newsletter, Wake Genealogy Watch, is now available online for reading or download. You can download the latest newsletter through this link –   Wake Genealogy Watch, Spring 2023 Features in this issue include: RootsTech Roundup 2023: All the Tools, All the DNA, All the AI, All the Stories A review of our February Meet Up at Johnston County Heritage Center Brenda Carbon has shared a great case study exploring Ancestry’s new ethnicity SideView feature. Several Cemetery queries and cleanup projects in our area looking to make local connections Pointers to two really good blog posts that cover some basic yet fundamental concepts for working with Genetic Genealogy Our handy events calendar will help you save the dates, so you don't miss a single moment of WCGS excitement. Photo Note : If you choose to read a printed version of this newsletter, some of the photos will be difficult to view due to size constraints. Please refe...

A SATURDAY WITH DANA LEEDS   Saturday, August 6 12:45 pm to 5:00 pm Note change to Virtual via Zoom only A Saturday with Dana Leeds -  Creator of the LEEDS method for Autosomal DNA analysis Where : Note this event is now virtual only see the WCGS Event page to register What : Wake County Genealogical Society is proud to host the one and only Dana Leeds, who will present two separate talks in this Saturday afternoon of genealogy.   Genetic Genealogist Dana Leeds started researching her family tree in 1998. She bought her first DNA kit in 2016 and solved her first unknown parentage case in early 2018. While working on another case that year, she created the innovative genetic genealogy tool known as the Leeds Method . This method quickly sorts DNA matches into clusters allowing the user to see which matches belong together . Dana quickly became a nationally known genetic genealogy speaker, and she enjoys helping others to easily understand and work with their DNA resu...

 Come visit with us on Saturday and enjoy a great learning opportunity next Tuesday! Wake County Genealogical Societ Meet up - Saturday, May 21 (in-person event) When:   Saturday, May 21, 2022 Time:   1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Where:   Oak View Historical Park, 4028 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC  meet on the front porch of the Main Farm House @ 1pm Come join WCGS members for some fresh air and fresh faces. Bring your questions. Come compare ancestors and  sleuting tips, or just enjoy meeting like minded curious souls who love family history and stories! No registration required.  Open to members, potential members and those who are just plain curious. Wake County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, May 24 (Virtual Event) When: Tuesday, May 24, 2022 @ 6:30pm - Virtual Topic :    The 1950 Census - A Glimpse Inside Mid-Century America  Speaker:  Lisa Lisson The 1950 Census is here! For the first time, the census record g...

We are planning a special little preview activity for our May 24 virtual meeting. Prior to the meeting during the open chat time, our program chair, George Thomas is planning a fun feature and we need your help. Please   submit any  Fabulous, Famous and Infamous folk  you have found while perusing the 1950 Census images. I have seen what George Thomas, program director,  has planned and I think it will be highly entertaining. Forward thes following details for what you find -  the name, state, county, and enumeration district   to George's email -  geothos@bellsouth.net    and he will take your findings and create a slide show that should prove to be a lot of fun as we warm up for the evening's presentation.  Imaging finding this! A very young Bruce Springsteen was residing in the home of his grandparent's New Jersey home in 1950 along with his parents!  Are you up for the thrill of the hunt?  Hint: Steve Morse's Unified Enumer...

WCGS members and followers should check your email for instructions on how to register for our May 26 virtual meeting. If you are not a member and want to be included, visit our  Membership page  to join and be included. You must register for the meeting before May 26. Date/Time :   Tuesday May 26, 2020 at 6:30pm ET Speaker: Judy Russell Topic: How Old Does He Have to Be? - Is this man John the father or John the son? Could that man be my ancestor who married in 1802? Knowing a person's age is often the key to distinquishing two people of the same name.  But if no record gives the birth data, how do you know who someone was? The law can often give the answer.  Please join us for a pre-recorded webinar with Judy G. Russell, also known as The Legal Genealogist! This virtual meeting and presentation is open to all members and newsletter recipients. If you are on one of those lists, you will receive an email with registration instructions closer to the d...

We received this notice from the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society in Ashville very recently: I am contacting you on behalf of the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society (OBCGS) in Asheville, NC. We are offering a professional workshop, “Beyond the Barriers” on June 20, 2020 that may be of interest to your members. The speaker is Dr. Thomas W. Jones , a board-certified genealogist, who is nationally known as a writer, a knowledgeable and entertaining presenter and editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. The most interesting topic lineup includes: Building a Credible Lineage Despite Missing information, Conflicting and Incorrect Records and Undocumented Publication Finding ‘Unfindable’ Ancestors The Jones Jinx: Tracing Common Surnames Systematically Using Autosomal DNA Test Results to Help Break Through Genealogical Brick Walls Early bird pricing is available prior to May 15. Further details, pricing and a registration form are available here . ...

We have received notice that there will be a dedication event for a Memorial to the Enslaved of Joel Lane Plantation on February 16. Details are as follows: Dedication Ceremony: Memorial to the Enslaved of the Joel Lane Plantation, 1769-1800 On Sunday, February 16, 2020, we will gather in the Joel Lane Museum House gardens for a time of contemplation and remembrance, as we dedicate a memorial to the people who were held in slavery by Joel Lane and his family. More details . Time: Sunday, February 16, 2020, 2:00-2:30pm Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony. Location: Joel Lane Museum House Herb Garden, at the southeast corner of the JLMH grounds, located at 160 S. St. Mary’s St., Raleigh, NC 27603. Parking is available on the streets surrounding the museum. Admission: Free; All are welcome. Contact Information: tel: (919) 833-3431; email: joellane@bellsouth.net Return to the WCGS Website

Update: New dates for Transcriptions Parties this fall - all on Saturdays 10:30-12:30 at Olivia Raney Library. October 19 November 16 December 14 Original story: We had such a great turnout for our recent Transcription Workshop on June 29. Results were so positive that more transcription events will be planned for the future. If you love old documents and the wonderful unexpected discoveries within, you will want to join us. Stay tuned for more info. Here are the attendees getting some video instruction prior to starting our transcriptions.  Photo: Monique Bunch Photo: Monique Bunch Photo: Monique Bunch Here is the cool deed that I got to work with that day. This is the original that dates back to 1796. Full of long S's (fs) and thence's! Definitely white glove work. Thanks to Diane Richard for the video and allowing Wakecogen to host on our website. It is on our home page  after you scroll down to the end of the page. Come join us!...

If you are a member of the James Olive family association and planned to attend the reunion last year only to be foiled by a hurricane, here is your chance to regroup and regather. Here is an excerpt of the Olive Branches newsletter with a brief description: click to view original size If you need more information, you can check their Facebook group or send me a message I have pdf files of the newsletter and the pre-registration sheet. Reunion is Sept. 27-29 in Williamsburg.

By popular request, WCGS is pleased to announce a 2-hour workshop for everyone interested in learning about transcribing historical documents.  This is a skill useful for both producing material for our Wake Treasures journal as well as for our own family history research.   The program will consist of a presentation with tips and examples followed by a live hands-on transcription (with a buddy) session.  Coming to this workshop does not obligate you to participate in future sessions, but we are looking forward to possibly meeting on a regular basis to work together on transcriptions for our award winning journal, Wake Treasures.  Everyone is welcome! The workshop is FREE! All skill levels are welcome!  Please bring a laptop to the session if you have one (not required).  You are welcome to remain in the library following the workshop for additional help or to do research. Olivia Raney library is open until 2pm on Saturday...